All-Female Consortium Acquires Italy SailGP Team in Landmark $45M Deal

In a historic move for professional sailing, an all-female-led consortium has acquired the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team for a reported $45 million, marking the first time a SailGP team has come under female-led ownership.

The investment group is spearheaded by Assia Grazioli-Venier, founding partner of Muse Capital and Muse Sport, and includes prominent figures such as Oscar-winning actress Anne Hathaway, Italian actress Miriam Leone, and luxury brand entrepreneur Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo. Renowned sailor Jimmy Spithill will serve as the team's CEO and co-owner, bringing his extensive experience to the helm.

Grazioli-Venier, who previously held a minority stake in the U.S. SailGP team, emphasized the significance of this acquisition: "Italy has an extraordinary sailing legacy, and our mission is to be a catalyst for its next phase." The consortium aims to blend elite leadership with strategic entrepreneurial capital to drive the team's success both on and off the water.

The Red Bull Italy SailGP Team will continue to compete in the high-speed, mixed-gender SailGP championship, which features identical 50-foot foiling catamarans racing at speeds over 60 mph across global venues. The team's journey and transformation under the new ownership will be chronicled in "Uncharted," SailGP's first long-form documentary series set to air next month.

This acquisition reflects the growing trend of private investment in sports franchises, particularly those promoting diversity and innovation. With Red Bull as the title partner, the new ownership group plans to position the team as a leading presence in the championship, focusing on technological advancement and cultural impact.

As SailGP experiences record demand for team sales, with 10 of the 12 teams now privately owned or operated, the entry of this all-female-led consortium signifies a transformative moment for the league and sets a precedent for inclusive ownership in professional sports.